Steel measuring tape



April 1960 J. J. As'roRE 2,934,283

STEEL MEASURING TAPE v Filed 001;. so, 1956 John J. Asrore Fig. 4 INVENTOR.

United States Patent STEEL MEASURING TAPE John J. Astore, West Stockbridge, Mass.

Application October 30, 1956, Serial No. 619,286

1 Claim. (Cl. 24284.8)

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in steel measuring tapes and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising novel means whereby the tape may be expeditiously and securely locked in any desired measuring position.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved measuring tape of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction,

strong, durable, compact, of light weight, highly efiicient and reliable in use and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view, showing a measuring tape embodying the present invention in use;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation with the lower portion of the case broken away, showing another use of the tape;

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation of the device with the lower portion in vertical section, taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the device.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a case 5 of suitable dimensions and material. The case 5 includes a removable side plate 6 which is secured in position by screws 7. The case 5 further includes a bottom or base portion 8 having therein a longitudinally elongated chamber or recess 9.

Case 5 encloses a conventional graduated tape 10 of suitable metal. The tape 10 terminates in the usual right angular bent anchoring hook 11 at its free end. The tape 10 is slidable through an opening 12 which is provided therefor in the lower front portion of the case 5. Mounted transversely in the lower front portion of the case 5, adjacent the opening 12 and above the tape 10 for engagement thereby is a metallic rod or pin constituting what may be considered a stationary jaw 13.

A lever 15 is pivotally mounted at an intermediate point, as indicated at 16, for swinging movement in the recess 9. At its forward end, the recess 9 communicates with the case 5 through an opening 17. Rising from the forward end portion of the lever 15 is a jaw 18 which is engageable beneath the tape 10 through the opening 17.

2,934,283 Patented Apr. 26, 1960 ice It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the desired length of the tape 10 is withdrawn from the case 5 in the usual manner. The forward end of the lever 15 is then swung upwardly for frictionally' clamping the tape 10 between the stationary and movable jaws 13 and 18, respectively, thus firmly securing the adjustment. A teat or rounded detent 19 is provided on the jaw 18 for engagement in depressions 20 in the forward end wall of the recess 9 for releasably securing the pivoted jaw 18 in closed or open position. There is sufficient resilience and play in the material and parts to permit the teat or detent 19 to move back and forth between the depressions 20 with a snap action. Figure l of the drawing illustrates the device being used as a scribing gauge, the work being indicated at 21.

In Figure 2 of the drawing, the hook 11 is engaged with the work, as indicated at 32, for anchoring the free or outer end of the tape 10 thereto.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A device of the class described comprising a case having a front wall and a bottom, said front wall having an opening therein adjacent said bottom and a transverse pin fixed therein adjacent said opening and above said bottom, said bottom having a bottom longitudinal recess therein, and an opening therein beneath said pin and the opening in the front wall, a tape in said case slidably adjustable beneath said pin and out of the opening in the front wall, a longitudinally extending lever in said recess pivoted intermediate its ends for swinging in opposite directions about an axis transverse to said case, an upstanding terminal jaw on said lever projecting up wardly through the opening in the bottom and beneath said pin for movement toward and away from said pin in response to swinging of said lever in opposite directions, respectively, whereby to clamp the tape between said jaw and pin and release said tape, and means for releasably holding the jaw in clamping and releasing positions comprising pair of recesses in said front wall, and a teat on said jaw engageable in said recesses, respectively, with a snap action in response to movement of said jaw toward and away from said pin respectively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,609,195 Prins Nov. 30, 1926 2,142,387 Udell Jan. 3, 1939 2,446,020 Nicholson et a1. July 27, 1948 2,536,766 Pechstein Jan. 2, 1951 2,575,354 Mills Nov. 20, 1951 2,624,120 Mills Jan. 6, 1953 2,680,576 Nykwest June 8, 1954 2,684,534 Ljungberg June 27, 1954 2,814,881 Ljungberg Dec. 3, 1957 

